The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1887-07-23
BOILER INSPECTIONS A PUBLIC NEG
ESSITY

BOILER INSPECTIONS A PUBLIC Me-
ESSITY
The terrible calamity which occurred
near this town on Wednesday, by which
two lives were sacrificed, ought to ex-
cite public inquiry as to the best means
of preventing their repetition. This is
the third loss of life by the explosion of
steam boilers which has occurred in
this county within comparatively few
months. And there is no reason to
doubt that others will occur. Import
ant an agency as steam IS in prescott
ing the industries OF mankind, expert
ence shows that it is a dangerous and
subtle power, the management and
control of which can only be safely en-
trusted to the most skilful hands. The
general recognition of this fact, and the
necessity of protecting life and prop
erty against the dangers which its un-
skillful management begets, has long
since become matter Of needed legls-
lation in most of the States of the
Union, while the general government
has its system of inspections and re-
strictions for all steam vessels navigat-
ing the waters over which it has juris-
diction. In all the large cities of this
country similar systems of inspections
and permits to use steam boilers exist
more or less restrictive in character,
but in some States, as in our own, no
such general system prevails. And yet
the use of steam is daily becoming
more general not only as a motive
power IN all industrial enterprises, but
as well for comfort and convenience in
domestic life. Our stores, offices and
dwellings are warmed by it. Its multi
piled use IS already one of the marvels
of the age we live in, and its import
ance as a civilizing and outstanding
agency cannot be estimated, while the
ingenuity of man inspired by competl-
tive invention is being hourly directed to
the discovery of new applications OF it.
This much by way of general COM
ment upon this greatest OF modern dis
coveries, the expansive power of stearc.
Now word or two as to the dangers
that beSet its use.
The agricultural industries OF this
country have kept pace with other pro-
ductive industries in turning to the
best account this ready, and tireless
servant of man. In the great grain
growing sections of the West, it plays,
it is true, more important part in the
economy Of the plantation than in the
Middle and Eastern States, but in the
latter, and even where farms are Of
moderate acreage, the steam engine
has become an important contributor
TO success and wealth. In recent
years in this section of Maryland, the
traction engine frets and fumes, upon
every agricultural show ground. The
steam thresher is as far superior to the
old endless chain when crops are heavy
and abundant, as the improved reaper
and binder is to the ancient sickle And
the use OF improved steam appliances
upon the farm will increase IN just that
ratio in which experiment and expert
ence prove them labor saving and
therefore money earning. With this
increased use must come better sys-
tens of inspection, and better systems
of protection against accidents, in
states and communities where such
systems already exist.
But in the meantime what are we to
do in Maryland where no safeguards
are by law thrown around this useful
but still treacherous frlend-the steam
engine!
How many agricultural engines are
just at this season being hauled from
farm to farm, which from unskilful
handling and unsafe boilers, are powder
magazines in disguise, ready to become
death-dealing instruments to those en-
posed TO them?